Director of Operations

A growing food manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced operations executive to lead plant operations and drive performance across multiple manufacturing functions. This company is an established food manufacturing company with a national customer base, a nine-figure annual revenue platform, diverse processing and packaging operations serving multiple channels, and year-round operations supported by a large seasonal workforce. There are significant opportunities for operational improvement and growth. About the Role This role offers a unique opportunity to partner closely with executive leadership while progressively assuming broader responsibility for operational strategy, execution, and organizational development. The successful candidate will be a highly visible leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and believes operational excellence begins with active engagement on the production floor. Responsibilities Operational Leadership Lead daily manufacturing operations with a strong emphasis on visibility, engagement, and execution. Align production, maintenance, engineering, quality, sanitation, warehousing, and support functions around common performance objectives. Improve productivity, labor utilization, throughput, safety, quality, and customer service performance. Establish clear expectations and accountability throughout the organization. Identify operational constraints and implement sustainable process improvements. Leadership & Team Development Coach and develop supervisors, managers, and functional leaders. Build organizational capability and leadership bench strength. Foster a culture of ownership, urgency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Support succession planning and talent development initiatives. Financial & Business Performance Manage operational budgets and labor performance. Monitor key performance indicators related to cost, productivity, efficiency, quality, reliability, and service. Partner with finance and senior leadership to improve operational and financial performance. Support capital investment planning and resource allocation decisions. Continuous Improvement & Strategic Initiatives Lead operational excellence initiatives and performance improvement programs. Partner with maintenance and engineering teams to enhance equipment reliability and asset performance. Support strategic growth initiatives, capacity expansion efforts, and capital projects. Transition from tactical leadership toward broader strategic responsibility over time. Qualifications Required Experience 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience. Significant experience leading multi-functional operations teams. Demonstrated success in improving operational performance and driving continuous improvement. Strong financial and business acumen. Experience overseeing production, maintenance, engineering, sanitation, and support functions. Proven ability to develop leaders and build high-performing teams. Leadership Profile Highly visible and engaged leader who prefers direct interaction with operations and frontline teams. Strong ownership mentality and commitment to accountability. Data‑driven decision maker with exceptional problem‑solving skills. Effective communicator capable of influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels. Humble, coachable, and committed to continuous improvement. Comfortable operating in both tactical and strategic environments. Pay range and compensation package: This is a very unique opening. Although you would be starting in a Director role, the goal is for this individual to transition to the Vice President role within one year or sooner. Defined pathway toward expanded executive leadership responsibility. Opportunity to influence culture, systems, and operational performance. Direct exposure to executive leadership and strategic decision‑making. Ability to create measurable operational and financial impact. Opportunity to help shape the next phase of organizational growth and performance. Equal Opportunity Statement We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices. #J-18808-Ljbffr